with district
| Metric | South Bend Community School Corporation | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 15,444 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 31 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,774/yr | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Charter School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 2/10 — Poor | — | Below average |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 377 rated districts in IN → 18th percentile → 2/10.
Source: Indiana Dept. of Education ILEARN, grades 3–8 Corporation Total proficient, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About South Bend Community School Corporation
South Bend Community School Corporation is the public school district assigned to zip code 46628 in South Bend, Indiana. Serving students from 9th – 12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 46628. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
South Bend Community School Corporation spent $11,774 per student in the 2019–20 school year (U.S. Dept. of Education CCD finance data), 9% above Indiana’s statewide $10,800 estimate. Of the district’s 2019 graduating cohort of 1,247 students, an estimated 78% earned a diploma within four years (EDFacts adjusted cohort graduation rate).
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 1 schools serving grades 9th – 12th, South Bend Community School Corporation qualifies as a small, community-focused district serving students from 9th – 12th. Small districts often benefit from tighter community cohesion, more personalized teacher-student relationships, and stronger parental involvement. The trade-off is narrower program variety: fewer elective courses, specialized tracks, or extracurricular options than larger systems offer.
Understanding the 2/10 Rating
With a rating of 2/10 (poor), South Bend Community School Corporation ranks among Indiana’s low-rated-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Indiana’s ILEARN grades 3–8 assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Indiana is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
South Bend Community School Corporation holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in Indiana on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 46628
Children in zip code 46628 are assigned to South Bend Community School Corporation for public school enrollment, covering grades 9th – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 46628, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact South Bend Community School Corporation at (574)299-9800 or visit www.careeracademysb.com. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Indiana districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in South Bend
For families considering a purchase in the South Bend area, district assignment matters financially. Because South Bend Community School Corporation serves zip code 46628, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 46628. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Indiana, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support South Bend Community School Corporation programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 46628.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with South Bend Community School Corporation before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 46628 data.